Ball Launcher Project for school (hit the target)

<< Mentor Note -- this thread is temporarily being allowed in the technical Engineering forums as long as the OP does the bulk of the work >>

Here's the deal,
I have to create a device that can launch ball, that bounces into a target that is 5 meters away. The targets are circular, one is 22" in height and the other is 50". I was thinking of building a slingshot/catapult machine that would point to the ground and the based on its angle and power would shoot into the separate targets. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Staff: Mentor

Here's the deal,
I have to create a device that can launch ball, that bounces into a target that is 5 meters away. The targets are circular, one is 22" in height and the other is 50". I was thinking of building a slingshot/catapult machine that would point to the ground and the based on its angle and power would shoot into the separate targets. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

The playball is 7 inches inches in diameter, I thought about building something like a tennis ball launcher but it would be out of our budget.

Yeah, a slingshot does not sound accurate. What kind of catapult do you have in mind? What is the ball's mass and what is it made out of? How "bouncy" is it? Can you post a sketch of your catapult idea? How will you fine tune the launch angle and speed?

Yeah, a slingshot does not sound accurate. What kind of catapult do you have in mind? What is the ball's mass and what is it made out of? How "bouncy" is it? Can you post a sketch of your catapult idea? How will you fine tune the launch angle and speed?

Yeah, a slingshot does not sound accurate. What kind of catapult do you have in mind? What is the ball's mass and what is it made out of? How "bouncy" is it? Can you post a sketch of your catapult idea? How will you fine tune the launch angle and speed?

The ball weighs about 290-297 grams and is 7 inches in diameter. They are rubber balls, they are pretty bouncy (the balls kids play with in elementary school "playground balls"). I was thinking of building a trebuchet, but instead of using weight perhaps using a bungee cord or springs to propel the device back. The release angle would determine how far the ball is propelled.

Staff: Mentor

I would recommend springs for consistency and accuracy. Do a search on trap shooting clay launchers, and you will find some very consistent spring-loaded launcher mechanisms. You will need to adapt them to your applications, particularly rotating them to vertical launch angles. Have fun and post some pictures of your group's development and the competition.

I would recommend springs for consistency and accuracy. Do a search on trap shooting clay launchers, and you will find some very consistent spring-loaded launcher mechanisms. You will need to adapt them to your applications, particularly rotating them to vertical launch angles. Have fun and post some pictures of your group's development and the competition.